14:35 Chester

Wednesday 8 May 2024

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1016:45

tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 1m 2.13s

(3)

Blue Storm¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rowan Scott| T: G Tutty| OR: 88| D

11/2

Bright start for new yard when third at Wolverhampton (5.1f) in November and confirmed himself a good buy at 7,000 gns when winning 8-runner Southwell handicap (5f) a month later, showing a good turn of foot. Handy draw in 3 to work from and respected back from 5 months off.

Form: 633431-

(10)

Midnight Lir¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 86| D

25/1

Largely consistent as a juvenile and bagged a second career success at Hamilton (5f) in September. Below best at York final start and whilst he should strip fitter for his return on heavy ground at Thirsk, he's another with a less-than-ideal draw to contend with.

Form: 12419-5

(4)

Moonstone Boy^b1⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 84| D

6/1

Pulled out a little more when deservedly opening his account at Southwell (5f) in March and filled runners-up spot next 2 starts on AW/turf. Latest Newcastle fourth 5 days ago was a creditable effort and application of first-time blinkers may put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 2-21224

(2)

Due For Luck¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 83| D

7/2

Won first 2 starts in maiden/novice company and shade unlucky not to complete the hat-trick on C&D nursery debut in September. Lesser efforts final 2 starts but handy draw inside to work from on return and interesting if market vibes are positive on return.

Form: 11247-

(7)

Vince L'Amour^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80| D

13/2

Son of Invincible Army who comes here on a roll, bolting up at Ripon (6f) and having no problem with the return to the minimum trip when registering another authoritative victory at Catterick (5f, soft) 2 weeks ago. Handicapper applies further pressure but unlikely he's reached his limit yet.

Form: 845-311

(5)

Dandy Devil³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76| D

12/1

Knew enough to make a winning debut in 5-runner maiden at Newcastle (5f) in March (Kings Merchant second) and possible testing conditions found him out at Pontefract (6f) 5 weeks ago. Remains early days and switch to handicaps a plus on this sounder surface.

Form: 18

(1)

Kings Merchant⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Bethell| OR: 75| D

5/2

Bated Breath gelding who was again strong in the betting and showed improved form to get off the mark in good style at Wolverhampton (5.1f) in March. Has the plum draw to work from now handicapping with Oisin Murphy booked. Lots to like.

Form: 262-21

(6)

Knicks³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Joanna Mason| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 73| BF

11/1

Landed a class 2 nursery on final start for Karl Burke in September and, off 6 months/gelded, made a bright start for new yard when runner-up on heavy ground at Catterick (6f) 5 weeks ago. Drops back to 5f now, and whilst this is tougher, he holds each-way claims.

Form: 62831-2

Non-Runners

(12)

Ziggy's Missile³⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: R M H Cowell J: Tom Marquand

(11)

Indicate²²

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: C Lee

(8)

Rainyniteingeorgia²⁴⁵

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: Alice Haynes J: J P Spencer

(9)

Enchanting¹¹

Weight: 8-10| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kings Merchant (5/2), Due For Luck (7/2), Blue Storm (11/2), Moonstone Boy (6/1), Vince L'Amour (13/2), Rainyniteingeorgia (7/1), Enchanting (10/1), Ziggy's Missile (10/1), Knicks (11/1), Dandy Devil (12/1), Indicate (20/1), Midnight Lir (25/1)

KINGS MERCHANT marked himself down as one to be interested in moving forward when opening his account in ready fashion at Wolverhampton in March and, from the plum draw on handicap debut, he looks a big player under Oisin Murphy. The thriving Vince L'Amour faces his toughest assignment to date but remains of firm interest in his hat-trick bid. Blue Storm is another to consider.